A battery charger seems like a pretty straight forward purchase. Don’t you just get the one that works with your battery? Although it’s not complicated, there are still a few options to consider.

Manual chargers keep charging the battery as long as they are plugged in to an AC outlet and connected to the battery. If one forgets to unplug them, the battery will be damaged. Automatic chargers sense when the battery is completely charged and switch to a trickle charge. Even with an automatic charger, you should check with the manufacturer if it is recommended to leave the battery connected when it is finished charging.

Some chargers are designed to work with one particular type of battery. If the battery is replaced or upgraded to a different type or size, a new charger will also have to be purchased. If there is the possibility that the battery type (gel or lead acid) may be changed later on, or if the size (block 22, block 24, etc.) will be switched, then a charger with variable settings is a must. If you do get such a charger, make sure that the settings are correct and can’t be changed accidentally. The wrong settings can damage a battery, possibly even causing it to explode or cause a fire!

If you are planning on traveling internationally, make sure to get a charger that works with other voltages. A common misconception is that there are only two possible voltages – 110V and 220V. Actually, there are more possibilities, such as 240V (ex. Australia), 230V (ex. Israel), etc.. If you don’t know where your travels might take you, get a charger that has a voltage range from 110V-240V. You will also have to get a plug adapter set, as various countries use different types of plug connectors.